Hi everyone,
Whilst I do think that Cakewalk have pulled out all the stops with X3 - and maybe this is a timely product to coincide with the Gibson buyout - as a user of 8.5, with Zeta and AD and a host of plugins that I actually know how to use and am comfortable with...is there any point in upgrading to full X3 Producer? After reading the comparisons I am not sure I wouldn't be as well off buying X3 basic and just importing my plugins and instruments?
 
It's hard here in the UK as there do not seem to be many dealers who actually have the product just yet.
 
Any advice would be welcomed.
 
Jim

If you have a copy of Sonar LE somewhere, you might want to register that and use the LE to upgrade to X3 basic instead of using your 8.5 Pro for the upgrade.
 
This way, you can still upgrade your 8.5 Pro to current or future Pro version. You get better upgrade price this way.
 
I'm leaving the plugins out - you're aware X3 Pro comes with many full versions (Dim Pro, Rapture, etc) that needs to be upgraded in prior Pro version.
 
Going X3 basic will lose the SMPTE/MTC and Surround mixing features.
 
Pro Channel - since 8.5 Pro don't have it.. not having it may not effect your work flow, if you already have your personal channel strip preference. On the other hand, having the Pro Channel may enhance your work flow - X3 Pro includes all the modules (produced by Cakewalk) that we have to buy in X1 / X2.
 
...Melodyne Essential is included in Studio / Pro, missing in X3 basic.

@toximornot - many thanks. Particularly the first two paras were very sensible and useful points. I didn't know that X3 basic didn't have the pro channel thing, which was the only addition I ever really thought was great about X2, and why I stuck with 8.5.
I don't know....I see that X3b is already out......hang it all, with Christmas coming up, what the hell! Instead of wasting my energy trying to see a way of saving £100 or so, I could be enjoying the new, clean X3 in all its glory......
 

If you can afford X-3 Pro, Go for it!!

you will miss out on the pro-channel with the basic version.. and the extra included plugs are well worth it.

Questions like this are difficult for me because I always buy the Producer for what it has with it and in it. That may not mean anything to someone else.  So it depends on what you want. 
 
I really think that as far as value is concerned the Producer version represents the best value. 

If you use or are interested in other daws too then maybe the basic version. You can upgrade to Producer later if you want during an upgrade sale.

I reckon you (the OP) should just bite the bullet:
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/ROL600.shtml
 
 

Bristol Jones...WOW!!!!
Thanks for the link. Will do right now!
 
To John and JLien - thanks, and I understand what you said. It's just that when you have carefully invested in software and have many of the plugins that are being bundled with new versions (melodyne and AD for example), I was just weighing up the pros and cons of automatically going for the Producer version.
 
Cheers.
Jim

Not sure if this is even still possible, but if there are still any offers for the "buy X2 and get X3 upgrade free" deals floating around that would also land you a few things not included in X3 like V-Vocal and R-mix